Sitting in his
upper chamber the immensely rich young brahmin
Sumedha
thought like this:
Not seeking Purity:
When a man soiled in dirt sees a pure lotus covered lake, but does not seek
it to get a clean bath,
it is not an error of the lake, but a fault of the dirty man...
Even and exactly so: When there is the great lake of the deathless
Nibbāna
capable of
purifying
all the mental defilements, yet it is not being sought by the mentally
polluted being, then it is not
an error of this immortal state, but a fatal fault of the mentally
contaminated human being...
Neglecting
the Way:
When a man surrounded by robbers does not flee, though there is a possible
way to escape, then it
is not an error of this open way, but a fault of the man neglecting to break
free by this road...
Even and exactly so: When there is this blessed
Noble 8-fold Way
leading straight to absolute
freedom, yet it is not being used, then is not an error of this supreme
method, but a fault of the
man failing to follow, clear and develop this ancient path...
Rejecting
the Doctor:
When a seriously sick man does not seek the help of the doctor, who knows
the effective cure,
then is neither a fault of the doctor, nor of the medical treatment, but a
mistake of the sick man!
Even and exactly so: When there is this sublime
Teacher,
who can cure all mental diseases & thereby
allay all frustration and pain, yet he is not being sought, then - indeed -
it is not a fault of this guide,
but a grave error of anyone mentally unhealthy, defiled
in mind, and thus prone
for downfall...
These thoughts made the young man give away all his richness and become
recluse in the Himalayas:
Later he met the Buddha
Dīpankara and at his feet made the determination to be come
a
Buddha!
More on the
Bodhisatta Sumedha, who later bloomed as
Gotama
Buddha:
https://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/s/sumedha.htm
https://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/d/diipankara.htm
https://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/g/gotama.htm
https://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/b/bodhisatta.htm
https://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/b/buddha.htm
He made himself into a bridge
over some mud so Buddha Dipankara's feets would not be soiled.
